Machine for manufacturing metal wheels.



Patented Dec. 3|, l90l.

J. .W. BETTENDURF; MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING METAL-v WHEELS! (Application filed Jun; 14, 1899. Renewed Juna'10, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

114: norms PEIERS c0, PuovoLmm. vusmuurow. u. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE...

JOSEPH IV. BETTENDORF, OF DAVENPORT, IOWA.

MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING METAL WHEELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,228, dated December 31, 1901.

Application filed June 14,1899. Renewed June 10, 1901.. Serial No. 63.988. (No model.)

To all whom it 11mg concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH WILLIAM BET- TENDORF, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Davenport, in the county of Scott and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Manufacturing Metal Wheels, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

The object of my invention is, more particularly, to provide a machine for securing seriat'im the spokes in the hubs of metal wheels made in accordance with the requirements of Letters Patent of the United States granted to 'W. P. Bettendorf and myself December 3, 1895, No. 550,815. This I accomplish by the means hereinafter fully described, and as particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation thereof. Fig. 4 is a front View of the mechanism for compressing the sockets of the hub tightly around the spoke, broken away from the remainder of the machine. Fig. 5 is a detail View showing in elevation the standard for centering the work. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the clamping mechanism of the machine.

The frame of my improved machine is, preferably, a heavy casting of the common horizontal U-shaped design, similar to those adopted for drilling and other heavy machincry, in which the upper horizontal surface of the lower arm of the frame forms the bed A upon which the work is placed, and the end of the overhanging arm terminates in an enlarged rectangular head a forcarrying the dieholder.

In my machine a rectangular platform X is mounted in a vertically-adj ustable bed-plate A, and, if desired, its sides may be beveled suitable shape to fit inside of the hub of the particular style of wheel being operated upon is-so located that when a hub is placed there- ;on the projecting sockets of said hub will be ofdie C may be sunken or depressed, as shown in dotted lines in Fig 1.

Immediately above die 0 is the verticallyreciprocal upper die D, which is preferably of the same shape as the lower die, but inverted, and is bolted or otherwise secured to a plate D, which is hinged to the knuckles projecting forward from the lower end of the vertically-reciprocal rectangular carrier 07., so that when the naked hub is fed to the machine or the spoked hub removed therefrom said upper die can be swung into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings. In order, however, to normally retain the upper die in its operativeposition, I secure one end of a coil contraction-spring wto about the center of the upper side of plate D and secure the other end of the same to the carrier, the lower edge of which is recessed to receive said spring. Carrier d moves in the 7 vertical groove 01 in the forward vertical side of the head a, of the overhanging arm or frame A and is held therein by a retaining-plate e, suitably secured to said head. The center of the carrieris provided with a suitable opening 01 in which revolves the actuating-cam E on the forward end of the horizontal longitudinal shaft F. Cam E is ofsuch shape that as it revolvesit imparts to the carrier a reciprocal throw just sufficient to move the upper die do'wniv'ard until its lower end comes in contact with the engaging end of the lower die. In order to give saidcarrier a normal downward pressure, I secure to and extend vertically from the center of the upper end of the same a guide-post e, which extends up through the end of a gooseneck ct, and between this gooseneck and carrier I surround said bar with a coil expansion-spring e I also prefer to provide the lower edge ofthe opening d of the carrier at the point where the greatest pressure of the cam E is exerted during the compression of the sockets of the hub with a shoe E, of steel or other suitable material, to take up the wear occasioned thereby. As it is necessary to preserve the perfect alinement of the dies and the carrier during the operation of the machine I have made groove 61 slightly wider than the 7 carrier and given one side thereof a slight incline, so as to permit of the insertion of the vertical wedge j, that is slightly longer than said groove and has its upper end turned laterally and provided with a vertical opening, through which a screw threaded post f passes. By manipulating nuts f f on said post, both above and below the bent end of said wedge f, the latter can be adjusted vertically, as desired, to take up anylateral displacement of the carrier. While I prefer to use wedgef, shoe E, and spring 6 and its conjunctive parts, it is evident they could be dispensed with.

When the naked hub is placed on the standard B, the spokes are consecutively pushed into and secured by compression in the sockets of said hub. To accomplish this, I provide a suitable clamp that is carried by an oscillating frame, which latter, as will hereinafter more fully appear, after the clamp has grasped the spoke 2, just back of the circumferential flange 3 near its inner end, moves toward the hub and thrusts the inner end of the spoke into the socket until said flange bears against the end of the same, whereupon the dies operate to compress the sides of said socket, and thereby securely fasten the spoke in the same.

The oscillating frame G is a vertically-dis-v posed body of about the same width as the bed of frame A, in front of which it is placed and of such height that its upper edge, which is'provided with a rece'ss for the reception of the spoke, is one horizontal plane slightly above that of the contact-point of the dies. Its lower end is provided with pivotal lugs that are pivoted to the base of frame A, and it is given its oscillatory movement by means of the horizontal rearwardly-extending connecting-rods g g, which are 'pivotally connected thereto by a suitable pintle-bar 5, extending through the horizontal knuckle of frame G near its upper end, about as shown.

The clamp for the spokes he'reinbefore alluded to consists of two corresponding jaws jj, the vertical plane of whose straight meeting surfaces is in alinement' with the center of the dies and the standard 13." "Near the upper ends of these jaws they are provided with rectangular clamping-blocks k, which are set into said jaws and secured by screws or otherwise; These blocks are. each provided with corresponding recesses 76 is in their engaging surfaces, in which the shaft of the spoke 2 is clamped. A slight distance below the blocks 70 the jaws are fulcrumed on studs 70 which are secured in frame G, as shown, and below the fulcrum are provided with downwardly extending outwardly inclined lower ends of these extensions are connected by links t 11 to a block I, which as it moves in the vertically-elongated slot J in frame G opens and closes said jaws j. This block is connected by rod 1 to the foot-lever K. Thus the operator has complete control of the jaws 7', either to cause the same to clamp or to release a spoke.

Shaft F is journaled in and extends longitudinally through the upper portion of the overhanging arm of the frameA and extends to the rear beyond the same a suitable distance and has its rear end journaled in the vertical portion of the L-shaped bracket II, secured to and projecting rearwardly from the main frame A. This shaft F is driven through the medium of a gear h, secured thereto, preferably, next bracket H, which is engaged by a pinion h on the drive-shaft K, which latter is journaled in the upper ends of bracket H and a bracket H secured to and arising from the back of the overhanging arm of frame A, as shown. The forward part of the boss of gear h is formed into a clutch m by having its edges provided with teeth or serrations,which are engaged by correspondingly-shaped edges of a sleeve 17., to which a cam L is secured or made integral. The forward end of sleeve n is extended and is provided with a circumferential groove n,which is engaged by a pin projecting from the upper end of a verticallydisposed lever nflwhich is fulcrumed at about its centerof length and has a coil contractionspring 0 attached to its lower extremity, that keeps said sleeve normally thrust to the rear. The forward end of this sleeve 02 is provided with a circumferential flange, whose rear shoulder is so curved as to produce a cam M, that is engaged by the lowerend of a vertically,- reciprocal bolt N, moving in a suitable guideopening in an arm projecting rearwardly from the base of bracket'll, to draw sleeve 11. out of engagement with clutch m at stated intervals, as will hereinafter more fully appear. The periphery of cam L is, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, principally eccentric and engages a friction-roller P, journaled in the upper bifurcated end of a vertically-reciprocal bar Q,moving in asuitable guideway made therefor in the rear flat surface of a rearwardly-extending portion of frame A, to whichthe supported end of bracketH is secured. When said bracket H is secured in place, it covers this guideway. The lower end of bar Q is provided with cor-responding lateral arms, the extremities of which have short rocking links '2", fulcrumed at about their centers of length therein,the upper ends of which are connected by contraction-springs R R to the ends of the overhanging arms 8 s, secured toand projecting sidewise from the upper surface of the said rear extension of frame Ain about the same transverse plane as the bar Q. The lower ends of the links 1 are pivotally connected to the ends of the horizontal branches of the bell-cranks S S, which are f ulcrumed to corresponding extensionsjj, as shown. The

- hub placedthereon.

the sides of frame A and have the rear ends of the connecting-rods g pivotally connected to the vertical branch thereof, so as to impart movement to the oscillating frame G when actuated.

Foot-lever K, through the medium of which the clamp for the spokes is actuated, extends horizontally under the arched base of frame A to a point slightly in front of the transverse plane of bar Q and is fulcrumed at a point under said frame A nearer its rear end. This rear end of the foot-lever has a vertically-disposed link t, connecting it to a vertically-reciprocal rod T, which latter moves -in a suitable opening in the rear of frame A and has pivoted thereto the lower end of a vertical connecting-rod 9. Theupper end of rod 9 is pivotally connected to the outer end of a lateral lever 10, whose opposite end is pivoted to a suitable lug projecting from the lower portion of the guide-arm in which bolt N moves. The upper end of bolt Nhas alever 11, pivotally connected thereto, and this lever and lever 10 are connected by lazytongs 12 in such manner that when lever K is depressed bolt N engages cam vM and withdraws sleeve n from clutch m.

When the full complement of spokes are secured in the hub, the work is lifted off of the standard after the upper die is moved forward out of the Way and a fresh naked Ifthe dimensions of this new hub are such that the horizontal plane of the sockets of the same would when thebed-plate rests on the bed be below the engaging su rface of the lower die, the said bedplate is raised through the'medium of a vertically-reciprocal bar 1 3, to the upper end of which it is secured, and conjunctive mechanism consisting of a Walking-beam 14, fulcrumed to the side of frame A, to one end of which bar 13 is pivoted a vertical spring-suspended link 15, articulating with the opposite end of said beam and connecting it to the treadle 16, the forward end of which extends to the front of the machine within convenient reach of the foot of the operator. Now after the hub is placed on standard B and the spoke is properly placed in recess 4 offrame G the operator presses down on lever K and the jawsj clamp the same. At the same time bolt N is withdrawn from cam M, thus permittin. the engagement by sleeve n of clutch m and the revolution of shaft F. The operator does not keep his foot upon lever K, but removes it the moment the machine commences to work, thus causing the extremity of bolt N to ride upon the circumference of said cam M until it has completed a revolution and until the cam-surface of the shoulder permits the bolt to automatically move downward to engage therewith and draw sleeve n out'of engagement with clutch m. During this revolution of sleeve n cam L moves bar Q downward, and through the medium of the bellcranks S and connecting-rods g causes the oscillating frame G and the clamping-jaws j to thrust the spoke into the alining socket of the hub,whereupon the cam E,operating upon the carrier (1, causes the upper dieD to move downward and compress the sides of said socket between it and the lower die, so as to clamp said spoke in the hub. The innercamsurface of cam L operatesthrough themedium of bar T and link t to keep the rear end of lever K raised during the revolution of the shaft F, so it will be observed that the engagement of the extremity of bolt N with the periphery of cam M is not depended upon for this purpose, although it undoubtedly contributes toward this end.

What I claim as new is 1. In a machine for manufacturing metal wheels, the combination with a stationary die and a hub-holding device, one of said parts being vertically adjustable relative to the other, of a reciprocal die arranged in alinement with the stationary die.

2. In a machine for manufacturing metal wheels, a standard for holding metal hubs, in combination with an *upper and a lower compression-die contiguous to and operating in a plane substantially parallel with the sides of said standard, said upper die being hinged to its support and movable out of alinement with said lower die.

3. In a machine for manufacturing metal wheels, the combination of means for holding the hub, spoke-inserting devices movable radially thereto, and means for compressing the spokes when inserted, whereby they are attached to said hub.

4. In a. machine for manufacturing metal Wheels, a standard for holding metal hubs, the combination with spoke inserting devices movable radially thereto, andrcompressingdies operating between said devices and said standard in a plane contiguous to and substantially parallel with the sides of the latter.

5. In a machine for manufacturing metal wheels, a vertically-adjustable standard for holding metal hubs, in combination with spoke inserting devices movable radially thereto,and compressing-dies operating be- IIO tween said devices and said standard in a ous to and substantially parallel with the sides of the latter.

7. In a machine for manufacturing metal said devices and said standard in aplane contiguous to and substantially parallel with the sides of the latter, one of said dies being hinged to its support and movable out of alinement with the other.

8. In a machine for manufacturing metal wheels, a standard for holding metal hubs, a vertically-movable bed-plate in which said standard is longitudinally adjustable and removable, in combination with compressing dies contiguous to and operating in a plane substantially parallel with the sides of said standard.

9. In a machine for manufacturing metal wheels, means for holding met-a1 hubs, in combination with spoke-holding clamps consisting of two corresponding jaws reciprocal in a radial plane to said hub-holding means and clamping the spoke in a plane at right angles thereto, and compressing-dies operating between said clamps and said huh-holding means in a plane substantially parallel with the sides of the hub placed thereon;

10. In a machine for making metal wheels, the combination with-a hub-holding device, and compression dies arranged adjacent thereto, of spoke-inserting devices comprising a member movable in a plane radial to the hub, and clamping-jaws carried by said movable member.

11. In a machine for manufacturing metal wheels, a hub-holding device in combination with an oscillatoryframe moving in a radial plane to said hub-holding device a clamp'cons'isti-ng of two corresponding jaws fulcrumed to said oscillatory frame and clamping the spoke at right angles to the movement thereof, and compressing-dies operating between said clamp and said hub-holding device in a plane substantially parallel with the sides of the hub placed thereon.

12. In a machine for manufacturing metal wheels, at hub-holding device, in combination with an oscillatory frame moving in a radial plane to said hub-holding device, a clamp consisting of two corresponding jaws fulcrumed to said oscillatory frame having downwardly outwardly inclined extensions, links 11 2', a-

block I reciprocal in a vertically-elongated slot in said oscillating frame to which said links connect said extensions, and a foot-lever for operating said block, and compressiondies operating between said clamp and said hub-holding device in a plane substantially parallel with the sides of the hub placed thereon.

13. In a machine for manufacturing metal wheels, a hub'holding device, in combination with an oscillatory frame moving in a radial plane to said hub-holding device, a clamp for holding the spoke carried by said oscillatory frame, connecting-rods g, bell-cranks S, re-

ciprocal bar Q, cam L and means for controlling the revolutions of the same, and compression-dies operating between said clamp and said hub-holding device in a plane substantially parallel with the side of the hub placed thereon.

14. In a machine for manufacturing metal wheels, a hub-holding device, in combination with an oscillatoryframe moving in a radial plane to said hub-holdin g device, a clamp for holding the spokes fed to the hub which is carried by said oscillatory frame, connectingrods g, bell-cranks S connected thereby to said frame reciprocal bar Q having lateral arms projecting from its lower end, links r connecting said bell-cranks to said bar, suspended contraction-springs R to which the upper ends of said links are connected, a camL and means for controlling the revolutions thereof, and compression-dies operating between said clamp and'said hu b-holding device in a plane substantially parallel with the sides of the hub placed therein.

15. In a machine for manufacturing metal wheels, a hub-holding device, in combination with an oscillatory frame moving in ,a radial plane to said hub-holding device, a clamp for holding the spokes fed to the hub which is carriedby'said oscillatory frame, the foot-lever K indirectly actuating said clamp, cam L and sleeve n therefor gear h and means connec'tedto said foot-lever and operated thereby to engage said sleeve to release the same from the clutch of said loose gear once during each revolution thereof, and devices connecting said cam with and oscillating said oscillatory frame once during each revolution thereof.

16. In a machine for manufacturing metal wheels, a hub-holding device, and spoke-in sorting devices movable radially thereto, in combination with a lower stationary compression-die between said hub-holding device and spoke-inserting devices, an upper die engaging with saidlower-die'in a vertical plane substantially parallel with thesides of the hub, a vertically-reciprocal carrier to the lower end of which said upper die is suitably secured,

inserting devices, an upper die engaging said lower die in apla'ne substantially parallel the sides of the hub operated upon, avertically-reciprocal carrier to the lower end of which said upper dieis hinged, a contraction-spring x connecting said upper die to said carrier to keepthe same in engaging position.

18. In amachine for manufacturing metal wheels, a hub-holding device, and spoke-inserting devices: movable radially thereto, in combination with a lower stationary die between said hub-holding device and said spokeinserting devices, an upper die-engaging said lower die in a plane substantially parallel, to

the sides of the hub operated upon, a vertically-reciprocal carrier to the lower end of which said upper die is secured, having an opening for the reception of a cam therein,-

the cam E, and horizontal shaft to which the same is secured.

19. In a machine for manufacturing metal wheels, a hub-holding device, and spoke-inserting devices movable radially thereto, in combination with a lower stationary die between saidhub-holding device and said spokeinserting devices, an upper die engaging said lower die in a plane substantially parallel to the sides of the hub operated upon, a springdepressed carrier to the lower end of which said upper die is secured,-having an opening therein for the reception of an actuating-cam a metal shoe inserted in the lower edge of said opening, said cam E and shaft to which the same is secured.

20. In a machine for manufacturing metal wheels, a hub-holding device, an oscillatory frame moving in a radial plane to the same, and clamp if ulcru med to and supported by said oscillatory frame, in combination with a stationary lower die between said hubholding 7 device and-clamp, an upper die engaging said lower die in a vertical plane substantially parallel to the sides of the hub operated upon,

a vertically-reciprocal carrier to the lower end of which said upper die is secured a cam E for reci procating said carrier, shaft F to which said cam E is secured, cam L reciprocal sleeve n therefor, and loose gear 72 with the hubclutch of which said sleeve engages, and de- 

